Oral breathing device



July 9, 1963 w c 3,096,762

ORAL BREATHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 12, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. AL/fl o m. W/A/cv/HL July 9, 1963 A. M. WINCHELL ORAL BREATHING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1962 INVENTOR. AAF/PEfi M. W/A/(HEZL ing, and possibly claustrophobia.

3,096,762 ORAL BREATHING DEVICE Alfred M. Winchell, Wolcott, Conn, assignor to Waterbury Pressed Metal Company, Waterbury, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 172,633 3 Claims. (Cl. 128190) This invention relates to an oral breathing device and more particularly to an oral breathing device which enables the user to inhale artificially generated ionized air.

The oral breathing device of the present invention includes an oral mask containing an ion generator mounted in the mask to minimize the loss of small air ions in their passage from the ion generator to the users mouth. Heretofore, ionized air has been supplied to a user through an elongated cylindrical tube or by convection through the atmosphere. Neither of these methods have been satisfactory since they result in transmission losses. Thus, where an elongated tube is utilized, an appreciable loss of ionized particles results due to collisions with the wall of the tube.

The mask of the oral breathing device of the present invention includes a face piece which covers only the users mouth. Air in the surrounding atmosphere is inhaled through the mask by way of the mouth and exhaled through the nose to the surrounding atmosphere. Hence, the mask of the device of the present invention differs from a conventional oral mask wherein the inhaled and exhaled air passes through the same or adjoining chambers.

The minimum aperture in the mask is approximately the same diameter as the human trachea. Thus, restriction in the airway from the surrounding atmosphere to the users bronchial region is minimized. Since the mask is an oral mask, the users nose is outside of the face piece at all times. This feature substantially simplifies the present invention by eliminating the necessity for breathing valves which tend to restrict both inhalation and exhalation. Further, exhalation into the mask would tend to force ionized air away from the mouth and thereby reduce efficiency by exhausting ionized air which hasnot entered the users mouth. The relative humidity inside the oral mask is maintained lower, that is drier, since the contaminated exhaled air from the users respiratory system is exhaled directly to the surrounding atmosphere. Low relative humidity increases the density of the ionized air thereby increasing the eificiency of the device of the present invention.

The mask of the present invention is held by the user by means of a conductive handle. The handle may be made of an excellent electrical conductor material such as copper. The handle is utilized to ground the users body and provides a means whereby the user may manually support the mask in a comfortable position. Grounding of the user is important. If the user happened to be electrostatically charged with a potential of the same sign as the ion generator, the ionized air would be repelled from the user and the chance of receiving beneficial results from breathing the artificially ionized air would be nullified. Grounding of the user by way of the handle reduces the possibility of an electric shock to the user. The ionized air may be negatively or positively charged. When the surrounding atmosphere contains air which is ionized predominately with a positive polarity, the environment results in unpleasant feelings such as depression, headaches, dizziness, a restless and uncomfortable feel- Negative ionized air gives the feeling of fresh air which produces relief from airborne allergy groups such as hay fever, rose fever, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. Also, it has been determined that a favorable reaction has been obtained 3,096,762 Patented July 9, 1963 'ice when negatively ionized air has been utilized for treating patients suffering from high blood pressure, and ulcers of the soft tissue and thermal type burns.

Ionized air is, of course, present at all times, as it is provided by nature. The ratio and level of positive and negative ions change from day to day, due to atmospheric and other conditions. In closed living quarters the air is usually ionized differently than that found out of doors.

The present invention may be utilized to assist in approaching a desirable ratio between positive and negative ions, or to provide a predominance of one of the other, especially for therapeutic applications to individuals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide .a novel oral breathing device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel oral breathing device which enables the user to inhale artificially generated ionized air.

'It is still another object of the present invention to provide an oral breathing device having a novel oral mask.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an oral breathing mask wherein the nasal passage of the user is always in direct communication with the surrounding atmosphere.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide .a novel oral breathing mask which more efficiently enables the user to receive beneficial results from ionized It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel oral breathing mask having a handle which will ground the patient or user thereof.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of the oral breathing device of the present invention as it is utilized.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of the breathing mask.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the breathing mask.

FIGURE 4 is -a sectional view taken along lines '44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the oral breathing device of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 an oral breathing device designated generally as 10.

The device It) includes an oral mask designated generally as 12 and a power supply indicator box indicated generally as 14. The box 14 is connected to a conventional source of alternating current by way of electrioal cable 16 and a three-way plug 18. One of the terminals of plug 18 is adapted to be connected to ground.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, the mask 12 includes a generally cylindrical housing 20 which is open on both ends. Preferably, the housing 20 is made from a lightweight plastic material such as a transparent acrylic resin. Any one of a wide variety of such resins may be utilized including Lucite, Plexiglass, etc.

A face piece 22 is removably connected to the housing 20. The face piece is cylindrical in nature and has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of housing 20. The length of face piece 22 is shorter than the length of housing 20. The free edge of the face the face piece 22. As illustrated, three such clips are pro- Vided.

The juxtaposed end surfaces of the housing 29 and face piece 22 are provided with a recess for receiving an upright circular center disc 28. Under certain conditions, such as when the present invention is utilized in a hospital for treatment of a plurality of patients, the disc 28 may be fixedly secured to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 29 by an adhesive such as an epoxy-resin. In this manner, the face piece 22 may be readily removed and sterilized while a new face piece is substituted therefor. If the present invention is being utilized by the same person at all times, the disc 28 may be fixedly secured to the face piece 22. Alternatively, the housing 2%), face piece 22 and disc 28 may be an integral structure.

The disc 28 is provided with a hole 32 at a central portion thereof. A center support tube 3% is force-fit within the hole 32. A plurality of fingers 34 are secured to one face of the disc 28 by means of screws 36 or the like. As illustrated, three such fingers are provided. The fingers 34 clampingly support an ion generator 38 in abutting contact with an end of tube 30. The generator 38, per se, forms no part of the present invention and is well known to those skilled in the art. The generator 38, for example, may be of the tritium-foil type which is commercially available. The generator 38 is connected to a high voltage supply through electrical cable 42 and indicator box 14.

The mask 12 is provided with a handle 44. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 1, the mask 12 is adapted to be manually supported by the user who will grasp the mask 12 and manually hold the same by means of the handle 44. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, handle 44 includes a hollow tube 46 made from a good concluctor such as copper. A brass bushing 48 or the like is force-fit in one end of the tube 46. The bushing 48 has a stud t) which is threadably engaged in a tapped hole in the housing 20. The other end of tube 46 is electrically coupled to ground by means of electrical cable .52.

The wiring diagram for the device of the present invention may assume a wide variety of forms. A form presently being used is illustrated more clearly in FIG- URE 5. The schematic wiring diagram in FIGURE 5 illustrates the three-way plug 18 in phantom in the lefthand portion thereof. The cable 16 includes Wires 56 and 58 which couple the voltage from a 115-vo=l.t source to the primary coil of transformer 64. Indicator lamps 60 and 66 extend across the wires 56 and 58 with an onoif switch 62 disposed therebetween. The secondary of the transformer 64 is connected to diametrically opposite terminals of a capacitance-type bridge circuit 68. The opposite terminals of the circuit 68 are coupled to terminals 74 and 76 by means of wires 70 and 72.

Terminal 74 may be a plus terminal and terminal 76 may be a negative terminal. Terminal 74 is electrically coupled to plus terminal 80 by means of wire 78. Terminal 76 is electrically coupled to negative terminal 84 by means of wire 82. A double-throw switch 86 selectively couples terminals 74 and 84 or terminals 76 and 80. One of the terminals of switch 86 is coupled to the generator 38 by means of cable 42 mentioned above. The other terminal of switch 86 is connected to ground by means of wire 88.

The device 10 of the present invention is preferably provided with a dosage indicator unit adapted to enable selective variation of the intensity of ionization. Such unit includes a stepdown transformer 92 having its primary coil connected across wires 56 and 58. A plurality of indicator lamps 94, 96 and 97 are connected in parallel through a switch 98 to the secondary coil of the transformer 92. Lamp 94 is preferably an amber colored lamp. Lamp 96 is preferably a green colored lamp. Lamp 97 is preferably a white colored lamp. Switch 98 selectively couples one of the lamps 94, 96 or 97 across the secondary coil of the transformer 92. Switch 93 also selectively varies a voltage divider 99 so that the lamp which is coupled across the secondary coil of the transformer 92 indicates the intensity of ionization. Hence, lamp 94 indicates low intensity, lamp 96 indicates medium intensity and lamp 97 indicates high intensity. The length of time to which a person will be subjected to ionization may be selectively varied by means of timer 54. Hence, it will be noted that the device it) permits selective variation of the duration of treatment as well as the intensity of the ionization. Also, switch 86 permits selective variation of the polarity of ionization.

The mask of the present invention is highly durable and may be easily cleaned by dipping the same, either as a unit or with the parts separated, into an aqueous solution of Zephiran Chloride (121000) so that it will be free of pathogenic bacteria. Thereafter, the mask may be rinsed in warm running water and air dried before reusing. The acrylic plastic construction provides excellent electrical insulation and further reduces the possibility of harm to life from electrical shock from the ion generator 38. Due to the light weight of the mask 19, the user does not tire easily from supporting the same. Since the mask does not employ any head strap or hearness, the user is free to readily move about and remove the same from a position juxtaposed to the users mouth. This reduces the side effects of claustrophobia or other psychological reactions which sometimes occur when masks are strapped onto a person.

Since the face piece 22 is readily removable, substitute face pieces may be readily substituted therefor. Likewise, other types of face pieces or mouth pieces may be substituted for face piece 22. That is, a type of mouth piece which is adapted to be inserted into the users mouth may be substituted for the face piece 22 which is adapted to embrace the skin around the users month.

In view of the above description, it is not deemed necessary to provide a detailed explanation of the manner in which the device 10 of the present invention is utilized. In general, it is deemed suflicient to merely state that atmospheric air from the surrounding atmosphere is inhaled through the open end of housing 20', through passage 40, through tube 32, and through face piece 22 into the users month. As the air passes through the passage 40 and into the users mouth, it is ionized by the generator 38. Exhalation is accomplished by eXhalted air being communicated directly to the surrounding atmosphere through the nose of the user. In this manner, the inhaled ionized air has a lower relative humidity, breathing valves are eliminated, and the density of the ionized air as well as the efliciency of the device are increased. Since the user is grounded by means of handle 44 and since the housing 29 and face piece 22 are made from electrical insulation material, there is substantially no likelihood of electrical shock to the user. Due to the design of the generator 38, there is no danger of direct radiation of soft beta particles.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An oral breathing mask comprising a hollow housing having one end in communication with atmosphere, a short hollow piece connected to said housing for communicating ionized air to 'a user, an ion generator, means supporting said ion generator in said housing in a manner so that air may be inhaled through said housing and hollow piece, said generator being adapted to be connected to a source of high voltage, a handle connected to said housing, said handle being made from a good electrical conductor so that a user will be grounded, said housing and hollow piece being made from a material having poor electrical conductivity, said hollow piece being a face piece connected to said housing adjacent one end of said ion generator, said face piece terminating in a contoured edge adapted to cooperate with a face of a user below the users nose.

2. An oral breathing mask comprising a hollow housing having one end in communication with atmosphere, a short hollow piece connected to said housing for communicating ionized air to a user, an ion generator, means supporting said ion generator in said housing in a manner so that air maybe inhaled through said housing and hollow piece, said generator being adapted to be connected to a source of high voltage, a handle connected to said housing, said handle being made from a good electrical conductor so that a user will be grounded, said housing and hollow piece being made from a material having poor electrical conductivity, said means supporting said ion generator including a disc disposed Within said housing, said disc lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing, and members on said disc supporting said generator radially inwardly of the Walls of said housing.

3. An oral breathing mask comprising a hollow housing having one end in communication with atmosphere, a handle extending from said housing, said handle being made from a good electrical conductor, said housing being made from a poor electrical conductor, an ion generator, means supporting said ion generator within said housing in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface of said housing, a face piece connected to the other end of said housing through which ionized air may be communicated only to the mouth of the user, said face piece having transverse dimensions substantially identical with that of the housing, said face piece being made from a poor conductor, and means removably securing said face piece to said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,095,651 Ronzi Oct. 12, 1937 2,213,403 Miller Sept. 3, 1940 2,267,547 Zimmerman Dec. 23, 1941 2,589,613 Hicks Mar. 18, 1952 

1. AN ORAL BREATHING MASK COMPRISING A HOLLOW HOUSING HAVING ONE END IN COMMUNICATION WITH ATMOSPHERE, A SHORT HOLLOW PIECE CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING FOR COMMUNICATING IONIZED AIR TO A USER, AN ION GENERATOR, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ION GENERATOR IN SAID HOUSING IN A MANNER SO THAT AIR MAY BE INHALED THROUGH SAID HOUSING AND HOLLOW PIECE, SAID GENERATOR BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF HIGH VOLTAGE, A HANDLE CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING, SAID HANDLE BEING MADE FROM A GOOD ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR SO THAT A USER WILL BE GROUNDED, SAID HOUSING AND HOLLOW PIECE BEING MADE FROM A MATERIAL HAVING POOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, SAID HOLLOW PIECE BEING A FACE PIECE CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID ION GENERATOR, SAID FACE PIECE TERMINATING IN A CONTOURED EDGE ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH A FACE OF A USER BELOW THE USER''S NOSE. 